USC center Kilian O'Connor will miss the entire season due to a non-contact leg injury, as announced by head coach Lincoln Riley on Thursday. O'Connor was expected to be the starting center and a key leader on the Trojans' offensive line after starting seven games last season.
Riley described the injury as a "freak" incident and expressed the emotional impact on the team, noting O'Connor's leadership role. The redshirt senior, who joined USC as a walk-on in 2022 and was placed on scholarship before the 2025 season, will be replaced by other depth options on the offensive line.